Pro Football Focus rates Kansas State's offensive line among nation's best

K-State quarterback Jesse Ertz gets all kinds of time to look for a receiver behind his offensive line (September 2, 2016) Bo RaderThe Wichita Eagle

K-State quarterback Jesse Ertz gets all kinds of time to look for a receiver behind his offensive line (September 2, 2016) Bo RaderThe Wichita Eagle

Kansas State has one of the nation’s best offensive lines.

At least that’s what Pro Football Focus thinks. The website, which serves as one of the top analytical sources for rating individual positions on the gridiron, published an article Wednesday that ranks K-State’s offensive line third nationally, behind Iowa and Washington State.

Such praise will likely come as a surprise to K-State fans who have watched the Wildcats struggle to move the ball this year. With the season at its midway point, K-State is one of the worst offensive teams in the nation, ranking last in the Big 12 in yards gained (342.7 per game). K-State is averaging just 4.8 yards per rush and is allowing 2.33 sacks per game.

But Pro Football Focus indicates K-State’s offensive line has been playing at an elite level.

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Here is what the site had to say about the Wildcats’ front five of Scott Frantz, Abdul Beecham, Reid Najvar, Terrale Johnson and Dalton Risner:

“This is a team that usually flies under the radar, as does their offensive line, but the line plays so well in conjunction with each other that they earn their No. 3 ranking. Their understanding of technique and angles to create space for the ball carrier in the running game is second to none. Kansas State is creative in their run scheme but they love blocking the inside zone play and and a series of running schemes for their quarterback. Kansas State grades highly in pass blocking. The Wildcats are led by our fourth-highest-graded tackle in Dalton Risner. Guard Terrale Johnson has also graded well and these two working together side by side can cause problems for defensive fronts.”

Pro Football Focus bases its rankings on film study.

If their analysis is correct, it makes you wonder what is holding the offense back.

The Wildcats defeated the Red Raiders 44-38 in front of 51,450 at Snyder Family Stadium thanks to a pair of key fourth-down stops in the second half. They negated an evening otherwise full of explosive plays. The biggest stop occurred late in the